Neuartige Prozesse während des Recyclings von wässrig prozessierten und zukünftigen Batterien (ProRec)

Batteries are a central component of the energy transition. In order to master the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, the annual production of batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, is continuously increasing. In Germany and Europe, however, there are only a few natural deposits of the raw materials required for battery production. Recycling is therefore not only ecologically sustainable, but also essential for the supply of raw materials.

In addition to recycling, other sustainable measures are being investigated in battery research. Aqueous cathode processing could have particularly positive effects by using water instead of solvents and fluorine-free binders that are harmful to the environment and health. Water-soluble binders also offer new recycling possibilities.

This is where the ProRec project comes in, which is investigating the water-based recycling of batteries with aqueous-processed electrodes. Research is being conducted into how the water-solubility of the binders can be utilised to remove active material from the current collectors and extract water-soluble components such as lithium salts. In the project, batteries are recycled using both a water-based recycling process and a conventional method in order to compare the two processes. The recovered materials are characterised, processed and tested for their suitability for new battery cells. The project concludes with an ecological and economic evaluation of the aqueous recycling process